Is it me or...
Jun. 7th, 2010 11:57 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
bunnis this a bit horrible?
http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-breast-health/treatment-side-effects/surgery/breast-prostheses/uk-airport-body-scanners/
"The purpose of the scanners is to be able to identify concealed weapons and prohibited items, but they will also reveal external breast prostheses, the type worn after a mastectomy operation.
The Department for Transport advises people wearing an external breast prosthesis to notify security staff before being scanned.
Although this may be awkward or embarrassing, it will mean you are less likely to be searched than if you have not declared it. It may also be helpful for you to carry a letter from the GP or breast specialist, confirming your situation, to help ease transit through security.
Upon seeing the external prosthesis on the scan, it is an individual decision by the member of security staff as to whether they conduct a body search. This means that wearing a breast prosthesis does not inevitably lead to a body search, but may do so."
Are prostheses REALLY such a major security threat that this undignified and unsavory approach is justified...? Very dubious about the body scanning thing in general, but this is an extra level of intrusive ick!
Can't help thinking of the foil wrapped cucumber scene in Spinal Tap tho...
http://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-breast-health/treatment-side-effects/surgery/breast-prostheses/uk-airport-body-scanners/
"The purpose of the scanners is to be able to identify concealed weapons and prohibited items, but they will also reveal external breast prostheses, the type worn after a mastectomy operation.
The Department for Transport advises people wearing an external breast prosthesis to notify security staff before being scanned.
Although this may be awkward or embarrassing, it will mean you are less likely to be searched than if you have not declared it. It may also be helpful for you to carry a letter from the GP or breast specialist, confirming your situation, to help ease transit through security.
Upon seeing the external prosthesis on the scan, it is an individual decision by the member of security staff as to whether they conduct a body search. This means that wearing a breast prosthesis does not inevitably lead to a body search, but may do so."
Are prostheses REALLY such a major security threat that this undignified and unsavory approach is justified...? Very dubious about the body scanning thing in general, but this is an extra level of intrusive ick!
Can't help thinking of the foil wrapped cucumber scene in Spinal Tap tho...
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no subject
Date: 2010-06-07 02:11 pm (UTC)Bunn is right though. Even if we made it impossible to blow up planes - and I don't think that even this type of scanning will be impervious to really persistent and determined attempts to smuggle explosives on board - there are then all the other modes of transport that can be turned into devices of mass slaughter.
Where do you draw the line?
I think it was Benjamin Franklin that said something along the lines of, "Any society that is prepared to give up a little liberty to gain a little security deserves neither and will lose both."